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We're continuing our series spotlighting Humanities & Arts students who spent eight weeks at Stanford University through the Stanford/CCNY Summer Research Program in the Humanities. The program pairs up to five H&A students with Stanford faculty mentors, includes a weekly seminar on research and graduate applications, and offers support to pursue a focused project.

In our second Q&A, we're featuring Albany Andaluz, a student in the Electronic Design and Multimedia program whose project explored Dominican vernacular in music.

"What was originally perceived as vulgar and defiant became reframed as a tool. A voice for the voiceless. A call to confront the social realities of those living on the margins of society." —Albany Andaluz, on her research discoveries

Read on for Albany's full Q&A—her exploration of Dominican vernacular in music, the discoveries that reshaped her project, and how her time at Stanford sparked new academic ambitions.

Q: Tell us about your research project. How did you land on your topic?

Originally, my project proposal was on the sociolinguistics of Dominican genres of music. I was particularly interested in the etymology of terms used in urban music. I had already spent time researching a political period of the Dominican Republic and wanted to deepen my understanding of Dominican culture. Music is something that I am deeply passionate about, so I decided to combine the two interests. What curiosities do I have about Dominican culture and music? I asked myself. A lightbulb went off. I am interested in Dominican vernacular, I thought. Why not propose a project that focuses on the Dominican vernacular found in music?

Through findings during the program, however, I began identifying motifs of resistance within the lyrics. What was originally perceived as vulgar and defiant became reframed as a tool. A voice for the voiceless. A call to confront the social realities of those living on the margins of society. That is what happens with research. There comes a need to embrace whatever shape the research takes. I was open to whichever direction my sources would lead me.

Q: What was your favorite part of being at Stanford?

The simple act of biking around campus was my favorite part of the Stanford community. What I also loved was how diverse the experiences, interests, and personalities of the members of our cohort were. It was fun forming relationships and bonding with housemates and mentors.

Q: How did this program help you grow as a researcher, a student, and a person?

This program helped me realize the potential of collaborative research and grow in that area. As a student, I grew in my ability to channel my curiosities in a way that was cohesive, telling a clear narrative. As a person, I grew in my interdependence.

Q: Did this experience change how you think about your future academic or career goals? If so, how?

This experience was a beta test of sorts. As with most internships, it served as a way of experiencing firsthand what the career is like. My time as a researcher this summer helped me imagine myself as a PhD candidate. What had started off as a curiosity turned into a serious consideration after the program. I learned that if I found the right research topic, committing to and completing a PhD program was a feasible feat. In that sense, this experience helped me inform my career goals.

Q: What's next for you?

The next step for me is to wrap up my last semester at CCNY and apply for the Dominican Studies Institute's research internship program.

Q: What would you say to other CCNY students who are thinking of applying?

I would say to go for it! It is an amazing experience, and you miss 100% of the opportunities you don't take!

Learn more about the Stanford/CCNY Summer Research Program in the Humanities